MA in Christian Faith and Practice

If you are a graduate in a discipline other than theology and wish to develop a further sphere of competence in the area of Christian faith and practice then this course is designed for you. By competent and diligent study you will:

• be able to engage critically with the biblical, historical and theological bases for the practice of Christian faith
• be able to explain and evaluate the manner in which such biblical, historical and theological disciplines cohere and may be integrated into practice
• be able to reflect theologically at Master’s level by expressing independent judgement in analysing evidence, producing critical reviews, and constructing sustainable hypotheses
• be able to focus these bases for reflection in an extended and sustained research project issuing in a coherent and cogently argued dissertation

This course is not a form of ministerial training.

The course has two parts and can be studied full-time over one year with a maximum period of registration of 24 months. The part-time pathway takes between two and five years. Part-time students normally attempt modules over six semesters, attending College for one day per week. It is also possible to spread the taught modules over three, four of five semesters. The part-time mode of the course thus lasts for two to four years. The maximum period of registration for part-time candidates is five calendar years. 
Part One comprises six taught modules of 20 credits each and Part Two is a 20,000 word dissertation of 60 credits. The six modules must be selected from the following list.  402 Research Methods and 430 Studying Christian Theology are compulsory.

• 401 Biblical Hermeneutics
• 402 Research methods (compulsory)
• 404 The Mission of Justice and the Theology of Law
• 405 Theological Aesthetics 
• 412 OT Narrative
• 414 Hebrew from Scratch
• 416 Jeremiah
• 424 NT Greek from Scratch
• 425 NT Theology (Romans)
• 426 The Book of Revelation
• 430 Studying Christian Theology (compulsory)
• 435 The Doctrine of Creation and Environmental Ethics
• 436 Contemporary Issues in Theology
• 449 The History of Evangelicalism
• 465 Theologies of Mission
• 467 Forms and Practice of Spirituality
• 474 Church Planting

Lectures can take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Not all optional modules are taught every year.  This course had a February as well as on October start.

The compulsory module, 402 Research Methods, is assessed by a 2000 word academic journal style article plus a dissertation research proposal. The other compulsory module, 430 Studying Christian Theology, and most other modules are assessed by a 5000 word assignment. The language modules 414 and 424 carry an examination. For full details please request a course document from our Admissions Department.

The second part of the coure consists of a dissertation of not more than 20,000 words. Students must complete Part One of the course before proceeding to the dissertation. The dissertation will be the result of the student's own research and is expected to provide evidence of a person's analytical, evaluative and creative abilities. The subject of the dissertation will reflect the topics covered by Part One of the course and requires approval by the Academic Dean.

Entry requirements and contact information

Qualifications for entry conform to the Regulations of the University of Wales for Master's Degrees by Examination and Dissertation (Modular Structure).

• Applicants will be graduates with at least a second class honours degree from an approved institution.
• Non-graduates may also be considered, provided that the applicant has given evidence of sufficient formal or informal learning relevant to the course.
• All applicants should note that irrespective of a person's qualifications, Spurgeon's College will need to be satisfied that a candidate has achieved the necessary academic standard to complete the course satisfactorily.
• To demonstrate this, applicants may be asked to complete modules at an earlier level of study as a preliminary to the MA.

Candidates who wish to apply for the full-time mode of the course need to be aware that in term time (October - May) they will be unable to be in paid employment.  People who need to earn an income can only be accepted on the part-time course.

English language entry requirements

Contact our Admissions Department and ask for an application form together with a copy of the course document. Don’t forget, you can always seek information about the course by attending one of our Open Days (click here for information).